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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories SOU's Campus Choice presented to U.S. Senate Ex accused of stealing $20,000 from Ashland woman's home Fiberoptic Lighting calls it quits after 27 years Asante merger stabilizes Ashland hospital's finances 'Everyone has a story' Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Lawsuits claim sexual assault and whistle-blower retaliation at OnTrack Gang-related shooting in Portland sends 3 youth to hospital Emergency services Jail lobby commotion sends man back to cell 30 minutes after release Politics and Elections Time running out for O&C funds GMO vote recount still shows little change GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means East Medford's the charm Education St. Mary's plays host to youth robotics tournament A lesson in giving Hedrick student council works to clean up the language Table Rock solid: Elementary school praised for keeping attendance up Eagle Point superintendent invited to White House Environment No fish, no funding for problem dams Most residents speak against gas pipeline Coalition asks for defense of GMO ban Home Help: Make your new house feel like home Bighorn sheep reintroduced along Klamath River State News As deadline nears, Oregon's health insurance signups still low Gang-related shooting in Portland sends 3 youth to hospital GMO labeling proponents concede defeat Tribes can decide whether to legalize pot Lawyer says football player had altercation Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Diana DeVoe Logan Ronald Bombick In Memory of Richard Eugene Snyder Rudy Giorgetti Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Hope lost Crater, North strong at Coast Classic Spartans complete sweep of Totems Raiders self-destruct in loss to Chiefs No. 3 Florida State turns to practice field Varsity 541 College Sports No. 3 Florida State turns to practice field Smith big in SOU’s rout of Pacific Union Baker happy to have Heisman company Mariota takes Heisman in landslide Brooks, Oregon beat Illinois Pro Sports Hope lost Spartans complete sweep of Totems Raiders self-destruct in loss to Chiefs Scott claims Australian gold Spartans race to early lead in win Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Rental owners group reports 2.48 percent vacancy rate Blog: It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like... K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks State lags on grocery inspections Blog: Bear Creek Plaza next up on the market Real Estate News Rental owners group reports 2.48 percent vacancy rate More sales, but no change in residential housing median price Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban People In Business People in Business, Dec. 3 People in Business, Nov. 18 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Agriculture K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, Dec. 14 Our View: Dana Milbank: The coarsening of politics George Will: The cheerfulness of tax reform Charles Krauthammer: A travesty of a report Editorials Our View: Other Views: Riley leaves strong legacy at OSU Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Sentencing reform pays dividends Our View: Find middle ground on timber policy Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 14 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 12 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 11 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 10 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 9 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Forest thinning means water for the future Guest Opinion: Suit threatens family farms and democratic vote Guest Opinion: SOU pool decision short-sighted Guest Opinion: It's time for biologists to let OR-7 go dark Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon Lifestyle Latest stories Give time as your holiday present The cure for nostalgia — Embrace it Community blog: Saving Lives Barry Lewis: Getting into the holiday shopping spirit Play local, pay local Food Community blog: Gobble gougeres as appetizers or with light meals Community blog: Choose presents cooks can cherish, not regift Roasted vegetables are rich, flavorful Food for Thought: Meal-planning hacks to help you dine fast and healthy Kitchen Call: Hints for gluten-free holidays Home and Garden Rogue Valley Christmas light displays Remodeling your attic: Know the details before you start Dear Monty: When a lawyer’s fee is four times higher than the quote Home Help: Make your new house feel like home Troubleshoot common water boiler problems Health Community blog: Saving Lives Health Watch: Curb your kitchen cravings this holiday season Community blog: Unsubscribe.com Community blog: Redefining Family Dr. Murray Feingold: Say it like you mean it Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Pope aims to expedite sex abuse rulings Milestones and Achievements Asante merger stabilizes Ashland hospital's finances Time running out for O&C funds Hire 'em and pray for snow Madi-Stiles A New Song Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories TMTO's 'Christmas Carol' a big, warmhearted extravaganza Phil Newton & David Pinsky at 2Hawk Winery Live Music in Local Clubs Over Easy serves 'pop-up' brunch Sundays Meet the real Jacob Marley Theater Meet the real Jacob Marley This Nutcracker ballet will have a superhero twist Plumbing the depths of meaning TMTO presents 'A Christmas Carol: The Musical' Theater review: 'Fiddler' charms audience in magical Camelot performance Music Rating old-timers’ albums from 2014 Phil Newton & David Pinsky at 2Hawk Winery Handel's 'Messiah' set for this weekend Live Music in Local Clubs Bob Haworth plays EdenVale Winery Community Events Rogue Valley Christmas light displays It's a Hamazon holiday at the Playwright Public House 4 Things to do this Week Soroptimist holiday home tour features four houses this weekend Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Dining Over Easy serves 'pop-up' brunch Sundays Ooblies Artisan Waffle Sandwiches Brunch at Loft Brasserie The Bohemian Club Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Asante merger stabilizes Ashland hospital's finances ... Our View: ... Guest Opinion: Forest thinning means water for the future ... Asante merger stabilizes Ashland hospital's finances ... Our View: ... Guest Opinion: Forest thinning means water for the future ... COURTS Lawsuits claim sexual assault and whistle-blower retaliation at OnTrack Clients says counselor sexually abused her, employee says she was targeted for reporting it By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 13, 2014 @ 5:34 pm Updated Dec 13, 2014 at 8:27 PM By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 13, 2014 @ 5:34 pm Updated Dec 13, 2014 at 8:27 PM » Social News A pair of lawsuits by a former client and a former employee of OnTrack Inc. claim one of its counselors sexually assaulted clients and that the addiction treatment provider retaliated against a whistle-blower who reported it. The civil complaints, filed against OnTrack Aug. 11 and Nov. 17 in Jackson County Circuit Court by Eugene employment lawyer Margaret Wilson, claim the alleged abuser was a mental health therapist and counselor employed by OnTrack. No criminal charges nor civil suit have been filed against him in Jackson County. The Aug. 11 complaint was filed on behalf of a former client who alleges she was sexually assaulted by the counselor when she came in for a routine urinalysis. The complaint claims OnTrack did not adequately check into the counselor's character and background, that it failed to maintain or enforce procedures to prevent the sexual battery of their clients and that it continued to use the services of the counselor after officials there were informed of the alleged assault. The Nov. 17 complaint, which names both OnTrack and Director Rita Sullivan, was filed on behalf of Chavala Bates, a former counselor-in-training at OnTrack who says she was retaliated against after she reported the alleged abuse of several women by the counselor. The suit accuses OnTrack of violating Oregon whistle-blower-protection laws and Rita Sullivan of aiding and abetting the retaliation. According to the suit, between April 21 and April 24, Bates received complaints from three OnTrack clients — all of whom had been referred to OnTrack by the Department of Human Services — alleging they had been sexually abused by the counselor named in the suits. Bates reported that alleged abuse to both the Department of Human Services and to OnTrack, the complaint says. Wilson said Bates escorted at least one of the women to the Medford Police Department to report an assault. The plaintiff in the Aug. 11 complaint also went to the police.  "I know there was a detective assigned, and it was forwarded to the District Attorney's Office," Wilson said. "I think that's where it kind of died on the vine." Bates claims that OnTrack and Sullivan retaliated against her for reporting the alleged assaults, including berating her in private meetings, demoting her and contacting employers to tell them not to hire her. The suit also claims Sullivan told Bates' new employer she was not allowed on OnTrack property, including the day treatment area and the Mom's Program, to perform her duties with her new employer. According to the complaint, Bates' new employer told her that she would lose her position if Sullivan did not allow Bates onto OnTrack property. Attempts to reach Rita Sullivan directly through OnTrack were unsuccessful. Kurt Peterson, a Portland-based liability lawyer representing OnTrack in the sexual assault suit filed Aug. 11, deferred to an affirmative defense answer he filed Oct. 13, saying it "would be imprudent to comment on pending litigation." Peterson's answer acknowledges the plaintiff was a client of OnTrack, and that the accused counselor was employed by the organization during the time of the alleged assault, but that "OnTrack denies the sexual assault and battery." "As to the balance of the allegations," the answer continues, "OnTrack is without sufficient information to either admit or deny and therefore denies." This isn't the first time OnTrack has been sued over alleged sexual misconduct by one of its counselors. In 1999, the father of a 16-year-old girl molested by then-OnTrack counselor Michael Lee Sanchez filed a $500,000 lawsuit against the drug treatment center. In that case, criminal charges were filed against Sanchez, who pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree sexual abuse and was sentenced to probation. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, according to court records. OnTrack — which has offices in Medford, Grants Pass, White City and Ashland — currently receives federal funds as a partner with Jackson County Community Justice and Jackson County Mental Health in the Second Chance Reentry Program, a treatment program for adult criminal offenders with substance abuse problems. Both plaintiffs in the new lawsuits are seeking $300,000 in damages, in addition to attorney fees and lost wages. Bates is also seeking an injunction barring Sullivan from giving her a negative reference to her employer or prospective employers. The assault lawsuit is scheduled for a three-day, 12-person jury trial beginning May 5, 2015. An answer by OnTrack's attorney has yet to be filed in response to the whistle-blower suit. Reach reporter Thomas Moriarty at 541-776-4471, or by email at [email protected] . Follow him at @ThomasDMoriarty . By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 13, 2014 @ 5:34 pm Updated Dec 13, 2014 at 8:27 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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